The Daily Freeman is reporting U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado has secured a second term. The Associated Press late Wed., Nov. 18, called the race for the Rhinebeck Democrat, over Republican Kyle Van De Water. Van De Water conceded early Thursday. Delgado prevailed with nearly 157,000 votes, besting Van De Water by more than 17,600 votes. Although Delgado led Van De Water the night of the election with about 60,000 absentee ballots cast in the race, a winner could not be declared until enough of those votes were counted to make one candidate's lead insurmountable. Of the 20,000 votes tabulated since Election Day, Delgado picked up about 15,000 and Van De Water gained roughly 5,000. Van De Water, in a Thursday morning email, said: "I just called Congressman Delgado to congratulate him on winning a second term to the House of Representatives. ... We live in divisive times, and I am proud of the fact that we kept the campaign and debates civil and focused on the issues," he said. "I'm looking forward to the rematch in 2022," Van De Water said. There was no immediate word from the Delgado campaign. In other election news, Ariél Zangla is reporting for the Daily Freeman in the 46th State Senate District race, Republican Richard Amedure was leading, but both he and Democrat Michelle Hinchey issued statements November 19, indicating they would wait for all votes to be counted before declaring a winner. Not only are there outstanding absentee ballots to count, there is also a pending lawsuit. The winner of the election will succeed Republican George Amedore of Rotterdam. Amedore announced in November that he would not run for a fourth term. Amedure, of Rensselaerville, is a retired state trooper who said he is looking to continue and build upon Amedore's legacy. Hinchey, of Saugerties, is the daughter of former U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey. She has vowed to continue the legacy of her late father in fighting for working families and the environment in upstate New York. Read more in the Daily Freeman.